Anderson expected to play in Las Vegas league next month

Spurs forward James Anderson is likely the first player on the team to commit to playing in the Impact Basketball League in Las Vegas during the lockout.

Anderson has been working at the facility this summer. Hoops World.com reports that he’s expected to join a star-studded collection of players that could include Chauncey Billups, Corey Maggette, Al Harrington, J.J. Hickson, Austin Daye, Jared Dudley, Marreese Speights, Dahntay Jones, John Wall, Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry and Zach Randolph.

Hoops World reports that Blake Griffin and Mo Williams also are interested in playing, considering they are considering team workouts at the facility.

Oklahoma City’s Nazr Mohammad and Kevin Durant have also talked about workouts with other Thunder players in Las Vegas as well.

Impact will release its rosters early next week with games set to begin on Sept. 12.

This work is critical for Anderson, who struggled with injuries last season and played in only 26 games with the Spurs, averaging 3.6 points per game. He was the team’s first-round pick in the 2010 draft.

A chance to play against the NBA’s best will aid in his development and perhaps give him an opportunity to challenge Richard Jefferson for the starting small forward position once the lockout ends.